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Plumber salary in California
The middle half of plumbers in California earned $28.36 to $48.17 an hour in May 2025, and the top tenth $63.03 or more.1 The median is 14% above the US median.2
- 10th
- $22.76
- 25th
- $28.36
- Median
- $35.01
- 75th
- $48.17
- 90th
- $63.03
- 10th
- $47,350
- 25th
- $58,980
- Median
- $72,830
- 75th
- $100,200
- 90th
- $131,100
Which California cities pay plumbers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has the highest median of the 10 metro areas below, $51.71 an hour; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has the lowest, $29.33.1
- San Jose–Sunnyvale$51.71
- San Francisco–Oakland$37.44
- San Diego–Chula Vista$34.86
- Los Angeles–Long Beach$34.19
- Bakersfield–Delano$31.95
- Sacramento–Roseville$31.35
- Fresno$30.96
- Riverside–San Bernardino$30.73
The 10 largest of 25 metro areas with plumber data, by employment.
Do plumbers make $100,000 a year in California?
Between 25% and half do. $100,000 falls between the median ($72,830) and the 75th percentile ($100,200).1
How much do new plumbers make in California?
The lowest-paid tenth of plumbers in California earned $22.76 an hour or less ($47,350 a year), and the lowest quarter earned $28.36 or less.1 OEWS does not report apprentice pay separately.
Are plumbers in demand in California?
Projections Central expects California to go from 52,300 plumber jobs in 2024 to 56,800 in 2034, a change of 8.6%, with about 4,870 openings a year.3 The US projection is 4.5%.
| Area | Jobs 2024 | Jobs 2034 | Change | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 52,300 | 56,800 | 8.6% | 4,870 |
| United States | 504,500 | 527,200 | 4.5% | 44,000 |
How does plumber pay compare with other trades in California?
Plumbers rank third of the five trades on this site by median pay in California. General contractors have the highest median, $46.96 an hour.1
| Trade | Median hourly | Median annual | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Contractors | $46.96 | $97,680 | 71,750 |
| Electricians | $36.62 | $76,160 | 73,310 |
| Plumbers | $35.01 | $72,830 | 47,660 |
| HVAC Technicians | $34.88 | $72,560 | 35,130 |
| Roofers | $30.58 | $63,600 | 21,190 |
Where to train in California
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, California, May 2025 (bls.gov, May 2025)
- BLS OEWS national estimates: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152), May 2025 (bls.gov, May 2025)
- Projections Central, long-term occupational projections 2024-2034 (projectionscentral.org, 2024-2034)